
Province to spend $15 million on CAR T-cell therapy for cancer patients
EDMONTON, AB. — The Alberta government announced Monday morning that it will fund a $15 million cancer therapy program, accessible in Calgary and Edmonton.
The treatment is known as CAR T-cell therapy, and is used on patients with leukemia and lymphoma.
Health Minister Tyler Shandro noted at a press conference that this type of therapy is already available in Ontario and Quebec.
“CAR T-cell therapy trials have demonstrated durable remissions and potential cures in about 50 per cent of adults and 80 per cent of children and young adults,” he said. “We want to provide Albertans with the same recovery opportunities, and that’s why we’re establishing a made-in-Alberta program. Our government is pleased to be partnering with the Alberta Cancer Foundation to make this happen.”